Amnesty ignores atrocities against police and Indians
I agree with the arguments made by Mr. Eddie Newman who in letters published in your newspaper raised important concerns over the recent statement issued by Amnesty International, over the issue of government describing the opposition PNC as " terroristic."

I myself was very surprised about the contents of the statement since while Amnesty International is a human rights watchdog body committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its actual work has been proscribed in certain areas. I quote from one of its own publications, "In particular, Amnesty International campaigns to free all prisoners of conscience; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and "disappearances"; and oppose human rights abuses by opposition groups."

Amnesty International has exercised double standards towards Guyana. It has highlighted cases of police killings while ignoring the many atrocities committed against the police and the East Indian community of Guyana. It cautions the government over its language but was silent when the PNC leadership incited their supporters at meetings held at the Square of the Revolution. AI also ignores completely the daily inflammatory outbursts from talk show hosts who do not hide their support and association with the Peoples National Congress.

Just after the 2001 elections, PNC instigated violence resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars. Buildings and farmlands were torched, hundreds of persons beaten, robbed and maimed and at least four civilians killed in what is now infamously known as the ' slow fyah" rein of terror.

A government committee set up to compensate victims heard harrowing tales from over 400 persons who were beaten, robbed maimed or had their buildings burnt. Not once during or after this rein or terror in Guyana did Amnesty International issue a statement on the matter.

In their annual Report for 2000, AI gave a very biased coverage of police actions during the GPSU's fifty- seven-day strike, failing to comment on the many reported cases of attacks on police and civilians as well as to the damage to property.

In the very report AI called for two convicted criminals Abdool Saleem Yasseen and Noel Thomas to be freed and not executed, arguing that the conditions under which the men were detained after their conviction were not cozy enough. They also argued that the men did not receive a fair trial. Both of these, issues were debated before our courts and overturned.
Roger Peters

Amnesty must clear up matters
How can Amnesty International seek to attack our government because they have rightly branded the PNC/R as terroristic and talk about the inflammatory language of government and have not in their communication as so far reported in the press referred to the inflammatory language of the PNC/R which has incited and promoted terror and violence in our otherwise peaceful society.

The PNC/R has acted consistently and persistently to cause and promote terror among the majority of people of this country who otherwise enjoy a peaceful existence.

Their activities include a constant attack on the Police Force, demonising police officers and idolising criminals and thus criminal activities.

Senior PNC/R leaders attend public services held at their chief public meeting place Square of the Revolution for the sensationalised funeral services of slain criminals

which are followed by marches through the city of Georgetown and along the East Coast road causing fear and terror among citizens as violence follows with beatings and robbery with commuters being dragged out of vehicles both private and those providing public transportation.

Roads are dug up and ditches dug across them to stop or impede the free movement of vehicles, passengers are thus forced to disembark including school children who scamper for safety trying to reach their homes as quickly and safely as possible causing them traumatic experiences.

These terroristic activities are a modus operandi of the PNC/R and it is really a 'feather' in their cap that they can hoodwink a reputable organisation such as the Amnesty International to completely ignore their terroristic activities and cite the first legally elected government of Guyana after twenty-eight years {1964-1992} for using inflammatory language.

Amnesty International has an obligation to the citizens of this country to make known the criteria on which they arrived at their conclusions.

They must also disclose what is their definition of terrorism and what is their opinion of the PNC/R actions and statements, which are fully verified.
John Da Silva

Challenge to the Mc Cormacks
I am heartened that the Guyana Human Rights Association GHRA thru Mr. Mike Mc Cormack has disassociated itself from the recent statement coming out of Amnesty International (AI). Mc Cormack reports that the G.H.R.A has written to AI pointing out that their recent statement on Guyana is unhelpful. He further told them that GHRA found the AI's statement puzzling since no local organisation, media or otherwise had expressed concern over freedom of expression.

I will, however, not allow Mike Mc Cormack to escape so easily. I maintain that there is an incestuous relationship between GHRA and AI and that the MC Cormacks are an integral part of this relationship.

I shall now expand. Neither Mike nor Merle Mc Cormack can dispute that while they were leading figures - they still are- in GHRA, they also were the point persons for AI in Guyana. Both of them were instrumental in the establishment of AI groups in Guyana. They personally exercised control over these groups and were directly involved in the meetings of these groups. I challenge them to deny this.

The Amnesty International web page lists a contact fax number for AI groups in Guyana. The number is the same 227-4948, which is the fax number of the G.H.RA in Guyana. Answer me now Mr. Mc Cormack or I will continue to expose the fact that AI cannot be impartial on Guyana as long as it operates out of your office!
Eddie Newman

Petition bites terrorists
The terrorists and their supporters and sympathisers seem to have become terrorised by having been identified for their terrorist activities and it seems also by the disclosures in the media that a number of citizens have affixed their signatures to petitions calling upon the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom governments to take actions against them by freezing, or refusing to grant them visas.

This is apparently hitting them where it hurts most as if the appropriate actions are taken by these governments, it will severely affect them and their families and even their fortunes.

It is now felt by their frightened reactions to the action being taken by citizens in petitioning foreign governments to take action against them, that most of them already have visas or green cards and most likely large assets in these countries.

This will also probably explain why they are not concerned about the consequences of their actions in trying to incite racial tension and violence and holding back the development of the country because they won't be affected as they feel they will be comfortably residing abroad and watching the news.

We should take careful note not only of their terrorist words and actions but also of their reactions to the petitions to foreign governments by these concerned citizens.
Aaliyah Hooper

Monday, April 29, 2002